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36HP Points contact block melting
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bloogy
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 3:11 pm    Post subject: 36HP Points contact block melting Reply with quote

Need some assistance with the fiber block points melting? I have a 36 HP engine with the original VJU BR4 distributor with vacuum advance. I replaced the points and condenser, and set the gap for 16 thousands, dwell was running 49 degrees. After timing the engine and running it for a while the spacer or fiber contact piece on the points begins to melt. I touched the part with the rotor attached and it is cool. The points and vacuum advance plate are very hot! to the point where it causes the fiber block on the points to melt! eventually the .0016" gap is gone and no more spark as the points don't open and close, and the car dies. The vacuum advance plate moves with spring tension, and I checked the vacuum advance, it advances as the idle increases, so it appears to be working, per the manual. The plate really does not move, so it may just be getting hot from the points. I have tried two points and two condensers and I have the same issue. each time the contact block that touches the rotor shaft melts. I checked the coil and it appears to ohm as a good 6V coil, same as before the issue began. Any ideas, I am stumped? Thanks
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slow36hp
scott wimberley


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PostPosted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 3:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sounds like a coil issue
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Glenn Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 3:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What brand points are you using?

Either there is too much friction in the distributor and caused it to be hot ot the points are crap.
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drscope
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 4:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Are you using distributor grease on the shaft? That is supposed to lubricate that fiber block. If it's dry, it is going to go away pretty quickly.

Also, sometimes if the distributor has been run for a long time with no grease on the shaft, the lobes get burned and rough. That adds to the block wearing and getting hot.

So make sure the shaft and the lobe surface is smooth and use a dab of distributor grease.
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bloogy
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 8:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have used both bosch and VW (audi) points. The points come with the grease for the rotor shaft and I applied it. The rotor shaft does not get hot, so it appears like maybe the points are drawing too much current? The center of the rotor shaft is lubricated, and I can move the vacuum advance plate without too much friction other than the spring of the vacuum advance.
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bloogy
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 2:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I did some additional testing today. Both Condenser are about 200 uf which should be good. points have a bright flash, which shouldn't happen if condenser is good. However, when checking for spark on the points I hear the distributor cap popping (its new, Bosch). When the points open, the distributor cap will arc from the center post, to one of the spark plug terminals. I don't ever remember hearing this before, and the voltage for that type of a jump must be too high. That is about a two inch jump! Is this normal, or maybe a sign of a bad coil? I don't think I have ever heard it arc with the cap removed before. No more problems after replacing the coil! Laughing
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